Early start

This is a similar support package to our very popular ‘Finding Your Future’ but is for students in clasa VIII-IX (aged 14 upwards) but offers up to four years of guidance and counselling.

Its aim is help a student find the right degree subject or subject combination for them to study abroad and then build up their academic strengths, personal skills and (usually) vocational experiences needed for a very successful application to the most appropriate universities.

We start with an initial 2-3 hour private consultation meeting which is based on a simple 5 page questionnaire followed by 2-3 similar meeting each year until the end of clasa XI / Year 12 (for students at international schools) and cover the following topics:

Parents can contact their personal consultant for specific advice at any time during this period and we can also help parents explore options for selecting state and private schools in both Romania and the UK.

600 €

Finding your future

A 2-3 hour private consultation meeting (+ follow-up) for a student in clasa X-XII and their parents.

We cannot over-emphasise the importance of carefully choosing the right subject to study, and UCAS states that poor course choice is one of the most common reasons for failed applications. Using their vast experience, our consultants will help widen students’ horizons by introducing them to new subjects, subject combinations and degree types that they possibly hadn’t previously considered. Based on a detailed 8 page questionnaire completed before the meeting, the consultant will identify activities needed to strengthen an application along with guiding the student and their parents though finance and accommodation issues.

Within 5 working days of the first meeting, we will send the student and their family a detailed initial Action Plan which includes a wide range of different courses to explore along with suggestions for extra reading to confirm that they really find a particular discipline interesting. We then usually schedule at least two additional meetings as we move into second stage of the planning. This happens when a student has decided what they want to study and the focus is switched to (a) identifying course-specific application strengthening activities and, (b) looking at a relatively large numbers of universities that offer their chosen course. We will produce a ‘long list’ of universities to consider with the aim of the student reducing this to 5 (the maximum number allowed in their UCAS application) by the end of August in the year in which they apply.

For art and architecture applications, one of our team will also carry out an initial review of a student’s portfolio and suggest areas for improvement if necessary.

By the time the Finding Your Future contract is completed, a student will know what they want to study, where they want to study it and, have completed enough activities to enable them to start writing a place-winning application!

The initial meeting can take place anywhere in Romania if our travel and, if necessary, accommodation costs are covered.

300 €

Total Support

This support package will take a student from starting their application to their first semester at university in the UK!

Your consultant will carefully guide the student through each stage of the UCAS application process providing materials for writing their personal statements and reviewing an unlimited number of drafts until they believe it is good enough to submit. They will also help a student’s teacher/diriginta write an effective reference which meets UCAS’s current ‘best practice’ guidelines. If the teacher is willing, he will check and review the reference before it is added to the application. If necessary, they will contact universities on a student’s behalf to help resolve any application issues.

After submission, your consultant will be on hand to advise on accepting offers, choosing accommodation and applying for financial support. After they have received their Diploma de Bacalaureat results and confirmed their university place, students will get a taste of the UK with a celebratory meal with other successful applicants.

We strongly believe in working with a whole family rather than just individual students: not only do we keep parents fully informed during the application process but we will often solicit their opinions to help us gain the best possible picture of a student’s key strengths.

960 €

Medical, Dentistry and Veterinary Applications

Due to Romanian curriculum restrictions which usually allow students to take one science subject in the Diploma de Bacalaureat, getting into UK medical, dentistry and veterinary science is very difficult.

We will help very determined and able students choose courses with the highest success rates and offer guidance in finding suitable tutors for the required ‘A’ level science exams. Generally, we recommend that students choose at least one course which includes an additional foundation year and use their 5th choice in their UCAS application for a biomedical science related course.

The package includes at least six hours of interview practice and (for medical and dentistry applications), two of these will involve working with a local actor in preparation for role play exercises which are becoming an increasingly common component of UK medical schools’ selection processes.

We offer an 80% refund if a student is rejected by all universities (without an interview) and we strongly recommend that students start this package at least six months before the October 15th application deadline.

1200 €

Art, Design and Architecture applications

This dynamic area includes fine art, fashion, graphic, interior and design as well as architecture and photography. Applications for these subjects are much more complex than they are for other degrees; as well as completing the UCAS application, students will need to produce a specific portfolio of practical visual work for each of their five university choices. Applicants will often be given an additional task to complete after they have applied and attend an interview either in the UK or via Skype.

Our art & design consultant, Gay Crystal, will evaluate the art work you have already and then give you ideas for creating new pieces that you can use for your applications. She will introduce you to British approaches to using sketchbooks and, very importantly, help you put together a targeted portfolio for each university. Gay will also be the technical advisor for your personal statement, reviewing your artistic terminology and making suggestions for improvements.

For art (but not architecture) applications, it is common for students to apply for ‘foundation’ courses as well as 3-4 year degree programmes. These intensive one-year courses are a necessary next step for most British students towards a BA in fine art or other art-based degree courses.

For Romanian students, who have not attended specialist art high schools, they can be used to increase their chances of being accepted by leading universities, or simply to develop their artistic skills and explore a range of creative subjects before committing to an undergraduate degree in a specific area of art and design. The applications are not made through UCAS, and this package includes full support for applying to up to three foundation courses if the student is also applying for BA programmes, or five if they are only foundation courses.

1200 €

Oxford and Cambridge applications

If you are one of the best 5 students in your year group then you stand a chance of being admitted to one of the world’s very best universities. Albion International Study is the only admissions service in Romania which both employs a former Cambridge graduate and has a successful track record of admissions successes.

We help students choose their courses and colleges, plan application-strengthening activities in clasa XIa, offer subject specific reading programmes and complete their UCAS application in clasa XIIa for the October 15th deadline.

We will also work directly with your teachers to make them aware of the particular style of reference paragraphs that Oxford and Cambridge admission tutors are looking for when choosing which applicants to interview.

Nearly all Oxford and Cambridge colleges require additional pre-entry tests and/or assignments: guidance for taking these is included in the package. We will always be totally honest about your chances of success and we make no apologies for very rigorously reviewing personal statements. The package includes six hours of interview practice, of which at least three hours will be delivered by subject specialists and/or current Oxbridge students.

Our preparation regime is very demanding but, if you have the academically ability to be one of the ‘brightest and best in the world’, we’ll significantly increase your chances of Oxbridge success.

1200 €

Postgraduate applications

The right postgraduate degree can often significantly enhance your employment and salary prospects as well as opening the door to either more specialised or broader career opportunities. However, finding the best course and writing strong applications for MSc, MA and MBA programmes can be a daunting and time consuming prospect, and there is always the risk of enrolling at a university which is not perfectly suited to your needs and aspirations.

Our bespoke support packages can help you achieve your academic and career goals and help you gain the highest possible return from your financial investment.

Firstly, we can draw up a longlist of courses based on both your interests and expected or actual degree grade (from British, Romanian or other international universities), with a focus on the most prestigious universities for your subject.

Secondly, we can help you with up to seven applications with a team of specialist consultants offering you very detailed feedback on your all-important personal statement and advising you on any additional exams you might need to take including GRE and GMAT. Finally, you will be given very through preparation for any interviews.

Price on request

Interview success

With many universities finding it hard to differentiate between large numbers of highly qualified candidates, interviews are steadily becoming more popular as an additional strategy for selecting the best candidates. Traditionally, students were only likely to be called for an interview if they are applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, any subject at Oxford and Cambridge (and many subjects at Imperial College).

Today, however, applicants for a broader range of subjects including architecture, physics, computer science and economics are regularly being asked to attend interviews at the top 40 universities. Our unique interview support package will include proven preparation strategies, body language and advice on answering different types of interview questions.

Students will receive mock interviews conducted with questions prepared specifically for their university and course. They will also have the option of having at least four of these filmed for detailed feedback.

The 6 hour package is included in the ‘Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science applications’ and ‘Oxford and Cambridge applications’

300 € for one 3h session

600 € for two 3h sessions

UK work experience (internships)

Relevant work experience can boost an applicant’s chance of success in many subjects. Experience in the UK adds the additional dimension of developing language skills, cultural awareness and the independence that comes from living away from home.

We have teamed up with The Training Partnership Ltd (TTPL) to offer Romanian students high quality unpaid work placements in South West England. Based in the attractive seaside town of Torquay, TTPL has over 15 years of experience of arranging work placements for EU students.

Their extensive database of over 500 organisations means that they can usually find an appropriate placement. Fields that you can choose to work in include healthcare, education, legal or accountancy services, media, human resource management, museums and historic buildings, retailing (shops), marketing, hospitality and engineering.

Accommodation is with carefully chosen host families and students will be given an induction training session before they start their placement and a 24 emergency contact number. They will also get the opportunity to get to know other students on placement programs from all over Europe via weekly student meetings.

TTPL can arrange placements for as short as two weeks but they strongly recommend a duration of three weeks to two months (or even longer) to get the most out of the work placement experience. Please see our work experience section for advice on how to get the most out of any work experience placement.

Price depends on the duration of the placement. Please contact us for further details.